SsangYong back in business

SsangYong showrooms are back in business with its visit-by-appointment-only system already leading to sales.

It reported that its new safety protocols introduced last week were successful and that, although closed in May, it took 50% of normal orders in a market that was down by 88%.

June is showing a further improvement in this trend, with higher showroom traffic and leads than normal.

Nick Laird, managing director at SsangYong Motors UK, said: “It’s been a strange and uncertain time, so we hope that with our dealers reopening this week, is a positive step for the industry. That said, the safety and well-being of our customers, our employees and of our dealer colleagues is of paramount importance, so we have to ensure that with showrooms opening that all safety measures have been implemented to protect people.”

SsangYong reports that much of the increased activity is key workers, who have remained mobile throughout the crisis.

Laird said: “We are seeing a higher level of orders and enquiries than expected, and our dealers are finding that an appointment only system is working particularly well. General footfall – at a distance – is higher than anticipated. A lot of this traffic is those important key workers who appreciate SsangYong’s value for money proposition. Moving forwards this sector will be strong, so SsangYong is perfectly positioned.”